10 best Kobo e-readers in 2026 (17+ compared)

Kobo eReaders are made by Rakuten Kobo Inc., a Canadian company based in Toronto. It started in 2009 as a spin-off from Indigo Books & Music, the largest book retailer in Canada.

In 2012, the Japanese e-commerce group Rakuten acquired Kobo for 315 million dollars and turned it into its global digital reading division. Since then, Kobo has become one of the leading eReader brands alongside Amazon Kindle.

The company employs hundreds of people worldwide and has offices in Canada, the United States, Europe, and Asia. Kobo sells eReaders, eBooks, and audiobooks, and its devices are produced through partnerships with manufacturers in Asia.

The brand focuses on open formats such as EPUB, which makes its eReaders compatible with many digital bookstores and public library systems.

Kobo e-readers are the second most popular worldwide, with shipments in 2024 estimated at around 4–5 million units and a global market share of about 10 %. The Kobo Libra 2, Clara 2E, and Sage drove most sales, positioned as alternatives to Kindle with support for EPUB and integration with public library lending.

Kobo performed strongest in Europe and North America, where its share reached around 15 % in some markets, while in Asia its presence remained limited.

The main Kobo eReader series are as follows.

• Kobo Clara: Clara is Kobo's compact 6-inch line for everyday reading. The stronger Clara models pair a light chassis with 300 PPI text, ComfortLight PRO, and in newer versions waterproofing or color E Ink depending on the model.
• Kobo Nia: Nia is Kobo's entry-level 6-inch line. It is simpler than Clara, with lower hardware ambition and lower pricing, and it makes the most sense when basic EPUB reading matters more than premium lighting, waterproofing, or faster page turns.
• Kobo Libra: Libra is Kobo's step-up 7-inch line with page-turn buttons and a more ergonomic asymmetrical body. It is one of Kobo's most balanced series because it combines 300 PPI text, ComfortLight PRO, waterproofing, and on newer models either monochrome or color E Ink.
• Kobo Sage: Sage is Kobo's premium 8-inch line for readers who want a larger page and stronger document flexibility. It adds a bigger screen, stylus support, Bluetooth audiobook support, and faster hardware than Kobo's smaller mainstream models.
• Kobo Elipsa: Elipsa is Kobo's 10.3-inch large-format line for note-taking, PDFs, and handwritten annotations. It is less about pocket portability and more about writing, markup, and full-page document viewing.
• Kobo Aura: Aura was an older Kobo family that helped establish front lighting, sharper screens, and water resistance in the lineup. It matters mainly as a discontinued legacy series rather than a current buying tier.
• Kobo Touch: Touch was one of Kobo's early touchscreen families and helped move the brand away from button-led navigation. It is now a legacy series that matters more historically than as a current model family.

Kobo eReaders cost between £85 and £340, depending on the model and screen technology.

The entry-level Kobo Nia is the most affordable option at around £85, while the Kobo Clara models are priced in the mid-range between £130 and £170. These devices have 6-inch touchscreens with adjustable front lights, so they suit users who want a compact eReader for everyday reading.

More advanced models such as the Kobo Libra 2 and Kobo Sage range between £170 and £255 and include waterproof designs, larger screens, and Bluetooth support for audiobooks. The top model, Kobo Elipsa 2E, costs about £340 and has a 10.3-inch display with stylus support for note-taking.

The following factors matter most while choosing the best Kobo eReader.

• Screen size and resolution: Clara is the compact reading-first line, Libra adds a larger 7-inch class with buttons, and Elipsa moves into 10.3-inch note and document use. Start with whether you want maximum portability or a larger page for PDFs and annotation.
• Display generation: Kobo's E Ink hardware differs by tier, especially in front lighting, warm-light control, and newer Carta-based panels. The right step-up is often about better everyday reading comfort rather than a dramatic spec-sheet jump.
• Waterproofing: Waterproofing is a real differentiator inside the Kobo range rather than a universal feature. Libra, Sage, and some premium Kobo lines are better for pool or bath reading, while simpler models are more basic everyday readers.
• Storage: Clara-level reading usually does not need large storage, but Sage and Elipsa-class devices make more sense if you keep audiobooks, PDFs, or a larger library offline. Compare storage with your actual content type rather than assuming more is always necessary.
• Stylus support: Kobo's larger note-oriented lines are the right choice if you want handwriting, annotation, and PDF markup. If you only read novels and standard ebooks, paying for stylus support is often unnecessary.
• Battery life: Simpler Kobo readers generally last longer because they run fewer power-hungry features, while larger screens, Bluetooth, and note use reduce runtime. This matters most if you want a low-maintenance travel reader rather than a document tool.
• Audio support: Kobo only adds Bluetooth audiobook playback on selected models, so it is worth checking directly if audio matters. Do not assume every Kobo reader supports audiobooks just because it shares the same store ecosystem.